Conveyer



. May 24, 1938. A. Hol-:FFLEUR 2,118,348

coNvEYER Filed Jan. 13, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I \I A 3: L j@ Y, x84 30III \ BY mmml. l

rus T1-owns MayA 274, 1938. A. Hol-:FFLEUR CONVEYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Fi'led Jan. 13, 1936 8 muur HIS ATTORNEYS Patented May 24, 1938 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to conveyer systems, and

includes among its objects and advantages the provision of an improvedtwo-plane chain.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a portion of a chain embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, illustratingthe chain in association with a sprocket;

lo 3 is a sectional view along .the line 3-3 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective `view illustrating the manner in which the linksmay be connected or disconnected;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the links; Fig. 7 is a bottomplan view of a similar link construction in which links are providedwith load supporting plates;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8 8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic top plan View of a friction drive for my chain;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the line lil- I8 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view taken from the position indicated by lineII--II of Fig. l0;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view along the line I2-I2 :m of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an installation embodyingthe invention.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, Fig. 13illustrates a conveyer designed for transporting packages such as cans,`boxes, or the like. The commodities are mcived in the directionindicated by the arrow I0 by the upper run of a chain I2. My chaintravels in a guideway I4 in the nature of a channel (see Figs. 9

and 10). The vertical flanges of the channel terminate short of theplane dened by the upper surface of the chain so that the commoditiesbeing conveyed will ride on the chain and thus be moved along theconveyer.

In Fig. 13, the chain passes around end sprockets I6 and I8 and inintermediate sprocket 28 arranged so that the chain makes a turn of 90.The sprocket I8 may be driven through the medium of any suitable'sourceof power applied to the shaft 22 to which the sprocket is xedlyconnected. Sprockets I8 and 20 may be of the idler type. While I haveillustrated a sprocket 20 for the purpose of bending the chain, the linkconstruction is such that wheels, shoes, or rollers may be employed inlieu of the sprocket. Guard rails 24 comprise a part of the conveyerframe structure to assist in holding the commodities to the path. Theseguard rails may be mounted in any well known manner. In lieu of a turnof at the sprocket 28, the chain I2 may make a bend 5 at any desiredangle. A

Fig. 6 illustrates one of my links. The chain I2 comprises a. pluralityof these links, which links are so designed that it is possible to useone type of link only in the composition of the chain. 10 I design thelink so that a plurality of identical units may be connected without theaid. of separate connecting pins or devices and in which the linksoperate in such a manner that the chain A may bend in two planes atright angles. 15

Specifically, the link 28 comprises three side walls 28, 30, and 32,cast integrally with an end wall 34. The side walls 28 and 32 areidentical in construction, each being provided with an opening 38terminating in a curved recess 38. 20 The outer surface of the wall 34is of concave configuration as indicated at 40, while theends 42 of thewalls 28 and 32 are shaped to conform to the curvature of the surface4I). The link proper is square in cross section, so that the wall 25surfaces of each lie in common planes with the same surfaces of all thelinks, thus making it possible to use the same link for alternate links.

A shank 44 is cast integrally with thecurved face of the wall 34, whichshank is also cast inte- 30 grally with a shaft 46 arranged at rightangles to the shank 44, the latter having its axis corresponding to thelongitudinal axis of the link as a whole. The axis of the shaft 46 liesin parallel relation with the walls 28 and 32 with each end 35projecting beyond the shank 44 to provide trunnions 48. I prefer toprovide reenforcement 50 at the base of the shank 44 for strengtheningpurposes in the vicinity of the connection between the shank and thewall 34. 40

In Fig. 5, I illustrate the manner In which the links may be connectedor disconnected. The spacing between the walls 28 and 32 is slightlygreater than the diameter of the shank 44 or the shaft 46 so that -thelatter elements may be moved 45 between the same walls of a companionlink for connecting purposes. In Fig. 5, I illustrate .the shank 44 andthe shaft 46 of the link 52 as being positioned between the walls 28 and32 of the companion link 54. In connecting the two links, 50 the link 52is turned about its longitudinal axis for positioning the shaft 48 inparallel relation with the walls 28 and 32 of the link 54. At this time,the links are moved in the direction of each other after which the link52 is rotated about the 55 axis of the shank 88 for positioning itsshaft 86 at right angles to the walls 28 and 32 of the link 52. At thistime, the link 52 is moved to the left until the trunnions 88 lie withinthe recesses 38 of the link 58, at which time the link 58 may be pivotedabout the trunnions 88 of the link 52 for bringing the two links intoend to end relation.

When the links are arranged in end to end relation, the curved ends 82of the link 58 lie in close relation with the curved surface 88 of thelink 52. The curvature 42 is concentric with respect to the curvature ofthe recesses 38, which permits the links 52 and 58 to be pivoted aboutthe axes of the trunnions 88.

In Fig. 1, I illustrate a portion of a chain made up of my links. `Inthis view, the axes of the trunnions i8 of the links 56 and 58 lie inparallel relation in a horizontal plane, while the axes of the trunnionsof the alternate links 60, 62, and Sli lie in parallel relation in avertical plane. The wall 38 of each link is recessed at 3| to provideaccommodation for the shank 88 of an adjoining link, to permit pivotalmovement of the link in the two directions indicated by link 56, inFig. 1. It will be noted that each link is pivoted to an adjoining linkupon an axis at right angles to the axis upon which it is pivoted to theother adjoining link. For bending purposes in any one struction, thelinks may be connected without the aid of pins and tools, and theassembled links are articulated in such a manner as to provide a chaincapable of bending in two planes.

In Fig. 2, I illustrate a sprocket 36 for driving the chain l2.- Thesprocket 68 is provided with widely spaced teeth 68 so that alternatelinks of the chain are engaged. The teeth 98 of the sprocket enter thespaces between the walls 28 and 32 of alternate links and engage theshafts.v

88 of alternate links. Arrow 'i8 indicates the direction of rotation ofthe sprocket. The peripheral surface W2 of the sprocket carries thechain |2. The rear faces of the teeth 68 are shaped to accommodate theend walls 38. The surface between the points 'ifi and i8 of each toothis arranged in parallel relation with a straight line intersecting theaxis of the shaft 86 associated with that tooth and the axis of thesprocket 86. 3The remaining surface from the point 'F6 to the end of thetooth is curved slightly so as to permit the tooth to enter itsrespective link without striking the end wall 38 of that link.

The leading faces of the teeth 88 are arranged at an angle to the line58, but the angularity is such as to prevent any tendency of the chainto climb. The same type of sprocket is employed for flexing the chain ina horizontal plane.

Arrow 88 in Fig. 1 illustrates the direction of travel of the chain.Movement of the chain in this direction prevents the sharp corners 82from catching the commodities carried on the chain in cases where thecommodities are blocked on the line. The wall 28 maybe tapered slightlyat 89 to position its leading end slightly belowy its load carryingsurface to preventarticles from catching the end.

The closed relation between the curved ends 82 and the curved surface 88of an adjacent link prevents articles from passing between the links,which is particularly advantageous in connection with commodities havingrecessed bottoms or sharply dened flanges. The sharp corners 82 whichlie in horizontal planes cannot catch on the commodities when the chaintravels according to Fig. 1. It will be noted that the chain presents anunbroken load carrying surface.

A different form of load carrying surface is illustrated in Figs. 7 and8. In this construction, the alternate links 86 are provided with plates88, which may be integral with 4the link. The links 86 are connected bylinks 98 identical in construction, with the exception of the plates.All the links are constructed in the same way as the link previouslydescribed with the exception of the plates 88. These plates are somewhatcrescent-shaped when viewed from above or below, with the concaveedge 92arranged in close relation with the convex edge 94 of an adjacent plate,these being concentric with the axis of the connecting link 98. Fig. 7illustrates a bottom plan vinew of the plates. Each plate is taperedslightly at 96 to provide clearance between adjacent plates when thechain is flexed in one direction in a vertical plane. My plate featurepermits the carrying of many types of commodities without the aid ofadditional guiding structure such as that indicated generally at 28 inFig. 13.

In Figs. 9 and 10, I illustrate the manner in which my chain may bedriven through the medium of friction wheels applied to the oppositevertical surfaces of the chain and driven in synchronism. Fig. 9represents a top plan view in which the vertical sides of the chain arepinched between two friction wheels 98. Each Wheel includes a frictionsurface such as a ber or rubber tread |88 (see Fig. 12). The wheels 98are xedly connected with vertical shafts |82, each having a pivotalconnection at |88 with an overhead structure |85. Sprockets |88 arelxedly connected with the shafts |82, which sprockets are driven throughthe medium of a chain ||8 passing around an idler sprocket ||2 and apower driven sprocket H8. 'The latter is con- 4nected with a shaftrotatably mounted in bearings ||8 carried by the supporting structure|85 and a lower supporting structure |28. I illustrate the shaft I6 asbeing provided with a bevel gear |22 arranged in mesh with a bevel gear|28 connected with a shaft |26 associated with a speed reducer |28 whichmay be driven through the medium of any suitable source of power.

Referring to Figs. and 11, the lower supporting structure |28 includestwo spaced members |38 between which bearings |32 are slidably mounted.'Ihese bearings support the lower ends of the shafts |82, which lowerends are urged in slightly spaced relation with the oor i38. By

proportioning the diameter of the wheels 98, space of desired amount isobtained between the shafts |04 to permit commodities to pass betweenthe same as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 11, the vertical flanges of the channel i4 arecut away at |40 to provide accommodation for the friction wheels 98. Theupper horizontal surfaces of these wheels lie below the load carryingsurface of the chain so as not to interfere with the movement ofcommodities.

All the links are of an open design which facilitates washing andcleaning of the links.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. In a conveyer chain, a link comprising two spaced side wallsinterconnected by a third side wall, each wall being integrallyconnected with an end wall having a curved face. each of said two spacedside walls being provided with a curved recess and said recesses beingconcentric about a common axis, and a shank projecting from said curvedface and being provided with a shaft having an axis positioned at .rightangles to said common axis, each of said two spaced side walls beingprovided with a curved end concentric about said common axis.

2. In a conveyer chain, a link comprising two curved recess and saidrecesses being concentric about a common axis, and a shank projectingfrom said curved face and being provided with a shaft having an axispositioned at right angles to said common axis, each of said two spacedside Walls being provided with a curved end concentric about said commonaxis, said link being square in cross section.

3. In a conveyer chain, a link comprising two spaced side walls providedwith openings terminating in curved recesses concentric about a commonaxis, an end wall integrally connected with said side walls and having acurved face, a shank projecting from said curved face and having an axisarranged in parallelism with said side walls, trunnions connected withsaid shank and having a common axis arranged at right angles to saidfirst-named common axis, each of said side walls being provided with acurved end substantially concentric about said first-named common axis,the trunnions of one link being adapted to lie Within said recesses of acompanion link, to pro- Avide a pivotal connection between the links, a

sprocket for driving the chain, the teeth of the sprocket being shapedand spaced to pass between the spaced side walls of alternate links andto engage the trunnions associated with said alternate links, each toothhaving a rear face arranged in parallel relation with a straight lineintersecting the axis of the trunnion engaged by that tooth and the axisof the sprocket, and a front face arranged at an angle to said line.

ARTHUR HOEFFLEUR.

